Chapter Five-
The next morning, Nikki was out of the unit as soon as the gate was opened, not giving Franky the time to try and repair what had happened between them. Franky pulled on her shirt, and headed out, hoping to catch the young girl and make things right before it was too late. Bea, Doreen, Liz and Boomer watched her go.
"She's gonna try and fix things with Nikki," said Bea quietly.
"Good luck to her. Nik looked pretty pissed last night," said Doreen.
"She'll come around; she's testing her boundaries," said Liz.
"She's making Franky sad," commented Boomer. The four women walked out, heading to breakfast. They found Franky at the table, sitting by herself, looking angry and upset.
"You okay?" Asked Bea.
"Fine thanks Red. She doesn't want to talk to me," answered Franky.
"She'll come around. She's still a teenager, and she's trying to find her way," said Bea.
"But I need her! And she needs us!" Exclaimed Franky.
"I know that, but she needs to realise that she needs us. We can't force her," said Bea gently.
"And what would you know?" Retorted Franky. Bea hung her head, and Franky knew it had been a low blow.
"Come on, we need to get to the laundry," said Liz, always a diplomat. Franky and Bea stood up, and the prisoners slowly moved out of the cafeteria. Different groups split up to go to the library, laundry, kitchen and garden. Franky moved down to the laundry, and flung open the door.
Nikki wasn't there.
"Where is she? She's supposed to be rostered with us!" Exclaimed Franky, glancing around the room.
"What's the problem Francesca?" Asked Charlie sweetly.
"Nothing to do with you," growled Franky. Bea pushed past and headed straight for the steam press, ignoring the altercation.
"Missing little Nicola? Heard her asking Miss Bennett if she could transfer away from the laundry," said Emily calmly.
"You didn't try and stop her?" Asked Franky.
"She seemed pretty upset. Did you not look after your bitch right last night?" Asked Charlie, moving to load the dryer. Franky snarled at Charlie, then stormed out of the laundry. Bea glanced up as the younger inmate left, then glared around the room.
"We're a hand short now. Pick up the pace," she and Doreen stole a glance at each other, then bent their heads over the sewing machines.
They knew that Franky would push herself to the limit to get back the girl...
"Nik? Nikki," hissed Franky. Nikki ignored her, continuing to shelve books.
"Don't ignore me," growled Franky. She grabbed Nikki's arm, and Nikki retaliated. She dropped the books and swung her arm around, catching Franky across the throat. Franky went down, struggling for air. Nikki calmly picked up her books and continued to stroll through the aisles. After a few moments, Franky regained enough composure to stand up and approach the young inmate again.
"The hell was that?" She rasped.
"I moved to Library so I could get away from you and the Wilson twins, and instead, you follow me here. I'm supposed to be making a new start, and you're not making it any easier! I thought you would be the one to look after me, not the one to make life even more difficult!" Snapped Nikki.
"I do want to look after you," said Franky, her voice still raw.
"How can you, when all you do is spend your time tormenting your enemy? It doesn't make sense Francesca, and you know it. When you're ready to do this right way, I'll be here and ready to talk. For now, I can't do this," said Nikki. She returned to shelving books, and Franky just looked at her. Kim had always wanted Franky, and she'd just accepted the fact that Kim would always be there. The feelings weren't mutual; she'd look out for Kim where possible, but she didn't love her.
Not like she loved Erica...
Nikki was entirely different; Franky was drawn in by the strength of the young woman, the way she'd faced one of the worst things in her life, yet still found the strength to carry on. Most women in her position would have taken their own lives, but not Nikki. Franky herself was only just turning twenty six, and even with the age difference, was still shocked at the maturity of the young woman. And she was here...
She was here, and Erica wasn't...
She was falling in love...
Could she call it love if they were in prison?
Before Franky even realised, she found her feet carrying her down the hall toward H4, all the other women flooding out from various work areas to return to their units. Boomer caught sight of Franky marching determinedly down the corridor and quickly joined her.
"What are you doing?" Asked Boomer.
"Something I should have done from day one," said Franky through clenched teeth. She continued on before turning the corner into H4. Charlie was there, but no Emily.
"Where's your sister?" Asked Franky.
"Gone to pick up the stuff we ordered from the canteen with Simmo and Megs. You looking for another bed partner?" Asked Charlie, grinning.
"Booms, guard the door," ordered Franky. Boomer stood in the doorway, contemplating her nails.
"You have been nothing but a thorn in my fucking side since the day you got here. And now, because of you? The girl I love won't even stay in the same fucking room as me! Someone's gotta pay for that, and you're the only one here." Franky launched herself at the twin, fists flying. Charlie was unprepared for the attack, and soon found herself pinned against the wall, blood dripping out of her nose.
"Come near Nikki again, and I'll do more than break your nose," threatened Franky. Charlie nodded, and Franky released her chokehold. Charlie dropped to the floor, coughing and trying to breathe.
"Emily's coming back," called Boomer.
"Not a word of this, or I make you an only child," snarled Franky. She sprinted out of the room and out into the exercise yard, leaving Charlie draped on the floor. She lay on the floor for a few moments before Emily returned.
"Charls? Charlie, what happened?" Asked Emily frantically. She helped her sister to sit upright, and Megs pressed a towel into Charlie's hand. She brought it up to her nose, wincing as the bruised flesh flared.
"Nothing. It was a stupid argument," said Charlie. She pulled herself upright.
"I'll get them back for this," swore Emily.
"There's no point. We can do better picking off Nikki," suggested Charlie.
"What about Franky?" She asked.
"Let Franky self destruct as we destroy Nikki. She'll find herself in the slot soon enough," decided Charlie.
"Are you sure about that?" Asked Emily. Charlie nodded.
"I have a plan."
"What the hell were you thinking?" Asked Boomer.
"Because of Charlie and Emily, Nikki won't talk to me anymore. She won't even work in the same room as me. I need here to know that I'm okay, and if that means passing off the Wilson sisters, then that's fine by me," said Franky determinedly.
"They'll kill you!" Exclaimed Boomer. Franky shook her head.
"They won't kill me, but they'll try and turn you all against me," said Franky bluntly.
"I'll stick with you," assured Boomer.
"What about Liz, Doreen and Bea? Dor has been turned against me before by Jacs; what if she does again?" Asked Franky.
"Then I'll smash her head in and make sure she doesn't," said Boomer defiantly.
"Thanks Booms. Come on, we've got a class to get to," said Franky. She led the way through the building until they were at the education centre, and headed inside.
"Sorry we're late Miss Palmer," apologised Franky. She took a seat, and was happy to see that Charlie and Emily hadn't arrived yet. Nikki was in the front row, head bent over a book, scribbling notes.
"It's okay Franky, just don't let it happen again," said Jenny Palmer.
"What are we doing today Miss?" Asked Doreen.
"Finishing the mathematics lesson we started last week. Books open to page 243, and continue working through the exercise." Jenny roamed around the classroom as the girls flipped open textbooks and continued the exercise. She stopped briefly to speak to Nikki, and Franky felt her protective need go into overdrive; she wanted to know Nikki was okay. After a few moments, Jenny returned to observing the girls. She stopped when she reached Simmo's row.
"Where are Charlie and Emily?" Asked Jenny.
"Had to go to medical," answered Simmo.
"Both of them at the same time?" Asked Jenny.
"Charlie had a nosebleed," replied Simmo, avoiding the question. As she bent her head back over the book, Charlie and Emily entered, blood still evident on Charlie's face. She sneered at Franky as she walked past, then took her seat with her twin, opening the textbook and bending her head down.
"Nice of the two of you to finally join us. Don't let it happen again," said Jenny firmly. The twins nodded simultaneously, and continued work. After a few minutes, Franky set her pen down and the desk, and reclined in her plastic chair.
"Miss, I'm finished," said Franky. Jenny crossed the room, and checked Franky's work.
"Well done Francesca. Next week we'll have your private tutor organised, and you can continue with your distance study," said Jenny.
"Thanks Miss. Mind if I leave early?" Asked Franky.
"You've finished your work, so I don't see why not. Miss Miles will escort you back to the compound area, and I'll see you next week. Still wanting to continue with Law?" Asked Jenny.
"Not anymore Miss Palmer," said Franky.
"If you come up to Miss Ferguson's office later, we can discuss your study. I'll ask Miss Gallagher to join us as well," said Jenny.
"Why?" Asked Franky.
"We don't need to discuss this now. I'll see you this afternoon," said Jenny firmly. Franky glanced over at Nikki, but didn't get a response. She scowled and left the education room. Nikki breathed a sigh of relief; she knew what the meeting would be about, and she didn't look forward to it. She continued her work, and after half an hour, class was dismissed. Nikki handed her work in, and picked up her papers, heading out. She went to step out of the classroom, and found the floor rushing up to meet her. Her papers fluttered across the floor, and her chin and knees scraped the floor.
"You alright Niks?" Asked Liz. She helped her up and brushed her down, and Doreen picked up her papers.
"That's a nasty friction burn," said Bea, pointing to Nikki's arm. She had stretched her arm out to try and break her fall, and had grazed her arm against the linoleum floor rather badly. Doreen handed Nikki her papers, and together they headed back to H2.
"Where's Boomer?" Asked Nikki.
"You don't want to know," said Doreen.
"Hey, I've got some choccy bikkies in my cell; that new show we've been watching has a double episode on this afternoon. Wanna watch with us?" Asked Bea.
"You talking about the one that makes Booms cry?" Asked Doreen, smiling.
"Yeah. You seen the newest season of Bold and the Beautiful yet Nikki?" Asked Liz. Nikki shook her head.
"No. Didn't watch a lot of TV when I was at Reiby or Dylly," she responded.
"You'll have to watch it!" Exclaimed Liz.
"I've got some more study to do, and a meeting with Miss Palmer and the governor later. Maybe next time?" Suggested Nikki.
"Sure. Everything okay?" Asked Liz.
"Just sorting out a study plan for my time here," said Nikki. She was about to say more when she heard a commotion from down the corridor, then Boomer and Franky being marched down the hall, each with two screws restraining them. Franky wasn't resisting, but Boomer was definitely putting up a good fight. Nikki dropped her stuff in her cell, and ran after the unusual parade.
"Franky? Franky, what's going on?" She called.
"Don't worry, I'll be okay," Franky replied. Nikki stepped aside as a medical team ran past. Bea joined Nikki! and pulled her back inside the unit.
"Come on, wait in here with us; they'll lock down the unit in a few minutes, then they'll sort everything out, and we can find out what happened," said Bea gently.
"Where are they taking Franky?" Asked Nikki.
"The slot. Depends on what she's done, but she shouldn't be there too long. They'll sort this out," assured Bea.
"Guess this means you don't have to visit the Governor today!" Exclaimed Liz. Linda passed by, did a quick head count, then pulled the gate closed, locking it. She stepped back as a gurney was rolled past, a sheet covering the woman on it. The girls stood near the gate, watching them walk past, and after they left, Nikki leaned against the wall and slid down it.
"This is all my fault. It's because I told Franky that I needed someone to look out for me, to look after me, and it want going to be her because all she did was fight with the Wilson sisters. Now she's going in the slot because of what I've said, and I haven't even had the chance to talk to her properly!" Exclaimed Nikki, agitated. Bea dropped down next to her on the floor.
"Once this is sorted out, you and Franky can have a proper chat and sort out what the fuck is going on. For now, wait and see what's really going on, okay?" Suggested Bea. Nikki looked up at the older woman, and nodded her head before taking a deep breath to steady herself.
"Okay. I hope everything is alright..."